Victoria promises the toughest penalties in the country and a new licensing scheme for tobacco retailers

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Long promised legislation cracking down on Victoria’s ‘Tobacco War’ has been introduced into state parliament. The bill will bring in a licensing scheme to govern the tobacco industry. The move follows yet another firebombing last night.

Transcript

00:00In Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, cars and fire are the weapons of choice.

00:08It is a very lucrative business because they're evading taxation on it and making a tonne

00:12of money.

00:13Last night, this Pascoe Vale South shop was firebombed for the second time in under 24

00:19hours.

00:20At least 114 fires have now been linked to the illegal tobacco trade.

00:25Fast Force learners executed over 200 warrants, arrested 95 people.

00:30Some of the shops targeted have fallen victim to criminal gangs, vying for the biggest stake

00:35in the sale of under-the-counter tobacco.

00:38In an attempt to smoke the criminals out of the sector, new laws are being proposed.

00:42It took tobacco shop after tobacco shop being burnt to the ground to actually get up and

00:47do something.

00:48The legislation includes licences for tobacco sellers, dedicated inspectors with the power

00:54to search and seize, and up to 15 years jail for individuals or $1.7 million fines for

01:01businesses caught breaking the law.

01:03These penalties are the toughest penalties in the nation.

01:07Does anyone really think that organised crime won't resort to more extreme measures like

01:12bribing officials?

01:14Tougher tobacco laws have long been called for in Victoria and were flagged by the Premier

01:19in March.

01:20We'll be looking at bringing legislation into the parliament over the course, it'll

01:25be in the second half of the year.

01:27Obviously it's overdue but it looks like they've taken the time to actually get the framework

01:33right.

01:34Now the legislation is being pushed through parliament before the end of the month.

01:38There's just two sitting weeks left before parliament takes an extended break for summer.

01:43If the bill passes before then, the government says the new penalties can be enacted immediately.

01:48But it will take at least another six months until the new inspectors are on the ground.

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